Jonathan Hall, Fivemiletown

DEAR SIR: The Chancellor’s recent comments providing guarantees to farmers regarding the continuity of EU funding until 2020 should most certainly be welcomed.

However, I am still highly sceptical that these fragile assurances are enough to sustain interest or to encourage young, perspective farmers like myself to commit to the industry in the long term.

Perhaps it is a case of too little, too late for many young farmers, who have become disillusioned with the current agricultural situation and consequently have made alternative career choices or even emigrated.

Although, I wholeheartedly welcome the Chancellor’s pledge, I believe it is totally inadequate in providing the stability and security that farming so long for.

Firstly, it does not take into consideration that the current level of EU funding is insufficient to financially assist farmers, particularly at a time of plummeting farm incomes and escalating production costs. With much economic uncertainty, it is crucial that the UK Government not only matches the current level of EU funding, but aims to expand upon it.

Secondly, the Treasury makes no reference to farm subsidies post-Brexit. We continue to witness Westminster’s lack of interest and enthusiasm for farming with many government officials seemingly considering the industry as irrelevant.

Government ministers must begin to recognise the fundamental importance of farming and food sectors to Northern Ireland’s economy. The Treasury must provide a solid commitment to subsidising and prioritising British agriculture in the years following 2020 in order to reinstate confidence back into the industry for young people

It is also crucially important that the distribution of agricultural funding is devolved to NI enabling better and more equal decisions to be made. I find it disgraceful that some British newspapers are already publishing articles suggesting that Brexit provides the opportunity to end subsidies for farmers. This mindset represents a huge threat to the future of agriculture for young, vulnerable and insecure farmers like myself – a threat to our very existence and livelihoods.

To conclude, I believe the Treasury should put their money where their mouth is by providing guarantees of a more permanent and sustainable nature in order to secure the future of the agri-food sector in this country.

Full coverage: Brexit

Letter to the editor: Young farmers require assurances post-Brexit

Jonathan Hall questions whether the assurances given by British Chancellor Philip Hammond about subsidies continuing to 2020 are enough to persuade young people that they have a future in dairying.